Synthesis and Characterization of Silicon-Based Polymers
Summary
The field of silicon-based polymers centres on the design, synthesis and characterisation of macromolecules in which silicon–oxygen backbones or silicon–carbon linkages confer unique thermal, mechanical and chemical properties. Synthetic strategies encompass dehydrogenative coupling, hydrosilylation and polycondensation routes, often mediated by homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts to control molecular weight, dispersity and architecture. Characterisation techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry provide insight into polymer structure, thermal stability and degradation pathways. Silicon-based polymers find applications in microelectronics, high-performance coatings, sealants, medical devices and sustainable materials, where their tunable degradability, low surface energy and biocompatibility meet diverse industrial and environmental demands.
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Synthesis and Characterization of Silicon-Based Polymers publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in synthesis and characterization of silicon-based polymers across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Poly(silyl ether): A polymer containing silicon–oxygen–carbon linkages (Si–O–C) that combines the flexibility of organic polymers with the thermal stability of inorganic silicones.
Hydrosilylation: A catalytic addition reaction in which a silicon–hydrogen bond (Si–H) adds across an unsaturated bond (e.g. C=C), used to form Si–C linkages in polymers.
Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA): A technique that measures changes in a sample’s mass as it is heated, providing data on thermal stability and composition.
Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC): A method that records heat flow into or out of a sample as a function of temperature, revealing transitions such as glass-transition and melting points.
References
- Poly(silyl ether)s as Degradable and Sustainable Materials: Synthesis and Applications. Molecules (2024).
- Heterogeneous catalysts based on supported Rh–NHC complexes: synthesis of high molecular weight poly(silyl ether)s by catalytic hydrosilylation. Catalysis Science & Technology (2014).
- Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of novel poly(silyl ether)s based on palm and soy oils. Polímeros (2018).
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